Tampa man arrested, accused of sexually assaulting neighbor

TAMPA — A 30-year-old man was arrested Wednesday, accused of sexually assaulting a woman in his neighborhood, police said.

Eric Ladson struck up a conversation with the woman about 1 a.m. Wednesday while standing in front of her home. Ladson then asked her if she wanted to see his apartment along West Wyoming Avenue. Once there, the woman changed her mind and began to walk away when Ladson forced her inside, where he sexually assaulted her, Tampa police said.

The woman escaped and ran back to her home, where she called 911. Officers arrested Ladson moments later.

Ladson faces two counts of sexual battery and one count of kidnapping.

He was booked into the Hillsborough County jail, where Ladson remained Friday in lieu of $500,000 bail.